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SISTER IN NAME ONLY 



F. TENNYSON 

NEELY 

114 Fifth Arenue 

96 Queen Street 

NEW YORK 

LONDON 


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THr LiRRARY OF 
OONGRE8S, 
T'vo CoRta Recsived 

AU 8 . rd 1902 

^IGHT ENTRY 

Ct.A^S (X, XXa No. 
I COPY 8. 


Copyright, 1902, 
by 

MRS. D. H. WALL, 
in the 

United States 
and 

Great Britain. 
Entered at 

Stationers* Hall, London. 
All Rights Reserved. 




Sister in Name Only. 


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INTRODUCTION. 


There are few lessons more worthy of deep 
study than the one Mrs. Wall teaches in this 
charming little story. 

Here is set out with cameo-like sharpness a 
picture of all the misery which one frivolous girl 
brought upon herself and those who loved her, 
by an insensate craving for a life of luxury and 
excitement in a great city. 

Do not think, reader, that, because there is a 
moral, it fails to adorn the tale. 

The story is told with the most engaging 
simplicity, and unfolds itself as naturally as a 
flower. 

I should call it above all things a Story of 
Things as They Are — a tale of homely people and 
homely joys and sorrows. 

In these days of tawdry sensationalism and 
cheap effects, it is refreshing to bask in plain 
pregnant Saxon words. Mrs. Wall brings viv- 
idly before us a happy typical Southern home, 


11 


Introduction. 


and feelingly describes how its light and love 
were cruelly snuffed out when the serpent of dis- 
content poisoned its peace. 

It is a tale of Two Sisters, and about them 
hinges most of the action of the story. 

Ruby and Florence Arnold live with their 
widowed mother in a quiet little Alabama vil- 
lage. Ruby, the elder, is a beautiful, but selfish, 
self-willed, excitement-craving girl, whose good 
nature has too much of frivolity, and whose 
luxurious tastes are cheapened by love of the 
gaudy. 

Florence is as opposite as the poles. Mrs. 
Wall will pardon me for saying that she reminds 
me of dear Sophia in ‘^Tom Jones,’^ so gentle, so 
self-sacrificing, so good, giving all her sympathy 
and help to others. 

Their natures stand in startling antithesis. If 
I took the liberty of making their horoscope I 
should say, that while Florence belonged to the 
gentle Pisces race. Ruby had her nativity with 
the strong-necked tribe of Taurus. 

Mrs. Arnold is the type of a dear, patient, dot- 
ing mother, which we all think our own mothers 
to be. Mrs. Arnold and Florence lavish all their 
strength and affection upon the frivolous girl; 
but at the same time counsel wisely, hoping to 
attract her from her selfishness and vanity, and 


Introduction. 


iii 

to awaken a life purpose, which shall remove 
'from her future the menace of remorse. 

It is seed sown on ground where only thistles 
grow. 

The headstrong girl contracts a most ill- 
advised marriage with a man two score years her 
senior, and whose wealth for her is his only at- 
traction. Her husband worships his fair lily- 
like bride with all the mingled adoration and 
despair of the grizzled old man who feels, with 
a deadened sense of pain, that while the body of 
his affianced is his, there can be no heart union 
between January and May. 

After a year of utterly uncongenial wedded 
life, there comes the inevitable sequel — the clan- 
destine lover, faithlessness, desertion, and then 
the snowy head of the deceived and outraged 
husband bowed in a death-sorrow. 

Then comes the not unusual contretemps, in 
the abandonment by the new found lover, who 
has been cast penniless on the world by an in- 
censed father. 

So poor Ruby gathers up the thread of her 
broken, sinful life, and we find her back again at 
the old homestead, under the skies of Alabama. 

It is a cheerless circle she finds. Her mother 
has yielded to the stifling worry and disgrace, 
and is soon on the bed from which she is not 


IV 


Introduction. 


again to rise. Only in the last inevitable hour 
does the half-repentant girl receive the words of 
forgiveness from the lips that so often sought in 
vain to point out for her the better pathway. 

There is one who has not changed, except to 
grow more sympathetic, considerate and devoted. 
Florence has only words of compassionate ten- 
derness, and it is very painful to see them lost 
on Ruby, calloused and embittered by her ex- 
perience. 

We follow Mrs. Wall’s absorbing narrative, 
and find Ruby sacrificing what remains of her 
beauty and charm upon the altar of Bohemia, 
while at the right moment there comes into the 
beautiful life of Florence the sweet influence 
of a noble man’s love, rounding out and fitly 
adorning her wonderful character. We regret- 
fully leave her with her husband in sunny Italy, 
where the sky is not purer than Florence’s fair 
eyes, or the dawn more constant than the affec- 
tion of Arthur. 

Unpretending as the story seems, its motif 
runs all the gamut of the old, never interest- 
less emotions of the human heart — love, hate, 
bitter remorse, bitterer repentance, despair and 
shame. 

We see again the triumph of Physical Beauty, 
but we learn, too, that the only lasting charm, as 


Introduction. 


V 


the only greatness, is to be good, and that merely 
physical attractions will one day sorely fail those 
who do put all their trust in them. 

Mrs. Wall has suggested, rather than em- 
phasized, the moral of Ruby Arnold’s life. 

The story should be studied by the country 
girls and boys throughout all this wide land, who 
are chafing out their lives with a yearning for 
city life, and who pitifully believe their com- 
fortable homes dreary, dull places ; who think that 
the Nirvana of Delights is in seething New York, 
with its stress of struggle and strife, its follies, 
its absence of thought, its cheap gayety and its 
swarming vice. For such, Mrs. Wall’s story 
reads a beautiful message. 

There are but few recent stories which have 
been told with so sure and sane a touch, and it 
is hoped that success and fame may be its 
reward. 



SISTER IN NAME ONLY 


^'Mother dear, I must have a new dress for the 
reception to be given by Mrs. Dennis on Thanks- 
giving evening. I have worn dingy white, and 
natural flowers all summer, till every one is 
tired of seeing them. Please, mamma, darling, 
say that I can make a change with the season, or 
really, I shall spend Thanksgiving in bed, weep- 
ing my eyes out. I am sick of poverty, and its 
pinching and stinting 1'^ 

So spoke Ruby Arnold, as she and her mother 
sat in their little parlor one pleasant morning in 
November, Ruby with the latest novel, and Mrs. 
Arnold busily engaged in sewing. 

''My love,’’ said the fond mother, "I am both 
anxious and willing for you to have the dress, 
but Ruby, the dress is not all. If you change 
your simple attire of the summer, there will be 
many other articles requisite for an evening toilet. 
Florence needs an outfit much more than even 


8 


Sister In Name Only. 

you do, and she is willing to wear her old one, in 
order to supply your wants. Your sister is most 
unselfish, and often gives up her rights in many 
things to promote your happiness,” continued 
Mrs. Arnold. ''Could you not, in this case, divide 
with her, and each have a simple new gown for 
the entertainment? I dislike so much to again 
withhold from Flossie what she deserves, and 
really needs, when so often she has foregone her 
share so that your costumes might be more 
elaborate and expensive. Now, dear, be un- 
selfish this once, will you?” 

At this the spoiled and selfish girhs face 
clouded. A look of sullen disappointment and 
vexation showed itself as she replied : 

"Oh, I’m weary of hearing about Florence’s 
good qualities and virtues, and my shortcomings. 
She does not care for anything more than to 
hang around the house, and see after other 
people’s wants. For my part, I’m tired of the 
whole dull town, and the insipid people in it — 
this daily routine of cares, household duties, and 
battle with poverty — and I intend to marry the 
first fellow that presents himself, provided he 
can give me a home in the city, and let me live 
at least in ease.” 

"Oh, Ruby! I am sorry you are unhappy. Is 
your home not pleasant and comfortable?” said 


9 


Sister In Name Only. 

Mrs. Arnold. ^^You have much to be thankful 
for. However, I shall try and comply with jour 
request. What kind of dress do you wish, Ruby?” 

^'Something suitable for a blonde ! Leave it 
to Madame Weyland; she did wonders for me 
last winter on a very small expenditure,” replied 
Ruby. 

Mrs. Compton Arnold and her two daughters 
resided in a small village, near Montgomery, Ala. 
This worthy lady had lived a widow, on a 
modest income, for the past ten years, but with 
thrift and skilful management she had given her 
daughters a fair education, such as a country 
village affords. 

Ruby, the elder daughter, was very beautiful 
in face and figure, and was always attractive to 
strangers. Yet those who knew her best could 
not be blind to the fact that she was selfish and 
cold hearted, despite her charms of person. 
Florence, the younger, was her mother’s sole 
comfort, radiating sunshine in the home, ever 
ready, and willing, to help those who needed her 
help. If only a word of cheer, she gave it gladly. 
With her the smallest duty was as binding as the 
greatest. ^^Never mind me, mother,” she would 
say. ^^Ruby loves pretty things more than I do. 
Besides, she^s the elder and should be your first 
consideration.” 


lo Sister In Name Only. 

Mrs. Arnold kept one old, faithful, colored 
female servant, whom her father had owned in 
slavery times, and this devoted menial, strong 
and sturdy, stood between her mistress and every 
hardship that belongs to housekeeping. Old 
Hagar, black as night, was one of the pure in 
heart, faithful, dutiful and true as steel. 

Another member of the household was a desti- 
tute, and rather dull-brained, brother of Mrs. 
Arnold’s, Sandy Clifford, who was twenty years 
her junior, and had been left in her charge by 
their dying mother, when Sandy was only four 
years old. Through a severe fall when an in- 
fant, his brain had been affected, causing him to 
carry his head on one side, and besides, he was 
hideously ugly. He was always doing and saying 
the wrong thing, much to the chagrin of the fam- 
ily and the amusement of their visitors. Ruby 
and Sandy had always shown an antipathy 
towards each other. 

Sandy’s only occupation in life was tilling the 
soil. Each year, with little assistance, he was 
able to gather from the soil the farm supplies of 
every kind in sufficient amount for their needs, 
thus saving the widow an extra outlay of money. 

The home was a large, two-story wooden 
building, with broad verandas stretching around 
three sides. It had large old-fashioned rooms, 


II 


Sister In Name Only. 

with papered walls and immense chimneys, add- 
ing a picturesque homelikeness. The furniture 
was ancient and worn. As a result of Florence’s 
perfect taste and industry, numerous articles of 
fancy work and bric-a-brac, inexpensive, yet 
dainty curtains and curiously shaped sofa cush- 
ions lent the place an inviting and restful aspect. 
Surrounding the house was a rambling, old gar- 
den, overrun with coxcomb, hollyhock, violets 
and chrysanthemums. A low, whitewashed lat- 
tice fence enclosed this pretty spot, which was 
shaded by live oaks and magnolia blooms. 

Thanksgiving Day dawned clear and bright. 
At the accustomed hour the village bells rang 
for service, and it was with a thankful and 
happy heart that Florence took her usual place 
in the little church choir, where she had been a 
familiar figure from early childhood days, and 
where her fresh, young voice was wont to make 
sweet music in swelling the chants and hymns 
of praise to the Giver of all good gifts. 

Ruby did not attend service this morning. She 
said she should not rise before noon, as she 
wished to be bright for the evening, and beside, 
it was ^^so dull to spend half the day in church.” 
Mrs. Arnold also remained at home, anticipating 
her daughter’s wishes by putting several little 


12 


Sister In Name Only. 

finishing touches on Ruby’s beautiful costume, 
which had been sent home the day previous. 

That evening the two sisters arrived at the 
stately and handsome home of Mrs. Dennis, who 
was the wealthiest lady in the whole country 
round. 

Indeed it was considered a great honor and 
privilege to be called a guest at her sumptuous 
table. 

As Ruby and Florence entered the reception 
room, and were received most graciously by their 
hostess, they presented a striking contrast. 
Ruby was very charming in flowing robes of sky 
blue crepe de chine, and filmy lace. Pearls shone 
in her golden hair, and twined about her shapely 
throat. Her dress, which was decollete, revealed 
exquisite shoulders, and arms that would excite 
a sculptor’s envy. On her wrists were clasped 
elaborate pearl bracelets — relics from better days, 
gems which Mrs. Arnold had worn when she 
was youthful and fair. 

Florence wore a simple white muslin gown 
that she had worn many times before. Her dark 
chestnut hair circled in ripples and waves around 
her white and pink face, with its natural and 
pure rose and lily tints. Her eyes were large, 
and of a soft brown, and the dimples in her 
cheeks and hands were more girlish than her 


13 


Sister In Name Only. 

years. In one hand she carried a bunch of cream 
roses and maiden hair ferm, and her bright, 
happy gaze and her sweet, innocent face ex- 
celled the finest effects 'of dress or jewels. Many 
were the hearts won that evening by her sweet 
simplicity and her naive charm. Florence won- 
dered that so much attention should be shown 
herself, who was only a simple little creature, 
plainly attired, and Ruby so much her superior. 

Ruby seemed radiantly happy. She did not 
dance as much as usual, but sat in a window 
seat in her most graceful attitude, while an 
elderly gentleman stood near, fanning her, and 
paying the most admiring attention. 

Once during the evening, in leaving the dining 
room, while the sisters were near each other, 
Ruby gave Florence a little pinch on the arm, 
and she whispered, ''You are gathering a harvest 
of beaux to-night, Flossie, but I’m doing the 
'money act.’ ” 

"For shame. Ruby!” returned Florence, "what 
do you mean?” 

"Did you not see the marked attention Colonel 
Carleton has paid me all the evening?” 

"Surely not. Ruby; he is more than double 
your age.” 

"Never you mind that, he’ll die so much 
sooner,” replied Ruby. 


14 Sister In Name Only. 

The girls were then joined by their escorts^ 
which put an end to further conversation. The 
evening was a charming success, as were all of 
Mrs. Dennis’s entertainments. The beauty of the 
rooms, and the soft, sensuous music was very 
conducive to love-making. For, after all, there’s 
very much in surroundings that will inspire this 
^fascinating pastime,” whether it be remembered 
the next day, when stern realities are faced again, 
or whether it is born to endure. 

At last the final waltz, ''Sweet Home,” floated 
dreamily out on the perfumed air. Good-nights 
were said, and the eventful evening was ended. 
And such evenings are so often the turning points 
in many lives, and in after years are remembered 
as the brightest of the darkest pages in memory’s 
book of joy and sorrow. 

Next morning at breakfast Ruby appeared 
earlier than usual. A look of triumph was set- 
tled on her handsome face, and she was unusually 
courteous to each and every one present, even 
nodding a morning greeting to Sandy, who 
stared at her and laconically remarked, "Some- 
thing’s up, it is.” Later she announced her "en- 
gagement for one o’clock that day.” "Mind, 
mamma,” she said, "much depends on first im- 
pressions. Colonel Carleton, who is the guest of 
Mrs. Dennis for a short time, will call to-day. 


15 


Sister In Name Only. 

Mamma, Sandy must be kept sternly out of 
sight.” (This with a sneer at poor Uncle Sandy, 
who with a resentful look was taking it all in.) 

‘"Flossie, darling sister, you will kindly attend 
to domestic affairs, and make the old place as 
fresh and up-to-date as possible. Have wine, 
you know, served at just the right moment ! Oh, 
dear ! do help me in this, won’t you ?” 

“Why, certainly, Ruby, I’d have done that 
much without your asking. It will afford me 
great pleasure,” replied Florence, pleasantly. 

“And, mamma,” continued Ruby in a flutter of 
excitement, “put on your best gown and wave 
your hair.” 

“What’s up now?” interrupted Sandy, with a 
chuckle. “’Cause you can’t catch a fellow your- 
self, you’re trying to marry your mother off, eh ? 
Well, I’d like to meet my future brother-in-law, 
so I think I’ll knock off work for the balance of 
the day.” 

A look of disgust came into Ruby’s face as she 
turned fiercely on the offender. Florence quickly 
interfered, and in such a kindly manner, that, in 
a short time Sandy was persuaded to leave the 
room to return to his labors, and at the appointed 
hour the home presented its neatest and most in- 
viting appearance. 

The dainty screen curtains were looped back, 


1 6 Sister In Name Only. 

and each window was filled with potted plants in 
full bloom. Palms and begonias adorned the 
tables, and a smilax vine trailed gracefully over 
the snowy table cloth which covered the little 
tete-a-tete lunch table. 

Ruby made a pretty picture as she sat in a large 
armchair, engaged on some light fancy work. 
She wore a light embroidered muslin dress, 
which emphasized the beauty of her rosy cheeks, 
lips, and blue eyes. Colonel Carleton, as he en- 
tered the room, looked long and earnestly into 
those eyes, and as he held her hand he told her 
she ^Vivalled the morning in her fresh, pure 
beauty.’’ Ruby loved flattery, lived on it, and 
her eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed when 
her admirer went on to tell her that the night 
previous she ^'had been handsome and regal, but 
that the gas light could not do her justice, and 
it took heaven’s own light to show off her fault- 
lessly fair beauty.” 

He asked permission to come again very soon. 
Ruby used all the powers of fascination she pos- 
sessed, and was doing well, until suddenly sounds 
of an active scuffle came from the rear of the 
house. Past experience had taught her only too 
surely what such a hubbub meant, and her face 
flushed and her eyes grew disturbed looking. 

Sandy had, true to promise, returned to dis- 


17 


Sister In Name Only. 

charge his duties as '^host/’ and would have ap- 
peared on the scene, brogans, short pants, old 
straw hat and all, but for the timely interference 
of Hagar, who actually dragged him into the 
kitchen and locked the door on him. 

Mrs. Arnold and Florence were deeply dis- 
tressed that Ruby should be thus annoyed at the 
time of the Colonel’s visit, and scolded Sandy, 
who only laughed and said: ‘^Ruby puts on too 
many airs, and Fll take her down, I will.” Just 
at this moment Hagar came up jubilant over her 
success in restoring order. 

^'Lord, missus ! ef I hadn’t been stronger dan a 
ox, ebery ting would done spile. Da boy fight me 
wusser dan a bull calf. I beg ’em for don’ go in, 
but ’e wouldn’t listen at me, jis holler "tun me 
loose, I’m a gwine,’” explained Hagar. Ruby wept 
to think of her future prospects if this annoyance 
continued. But after awhile Flossie’s persuasion 
and her promises to try to save her sister further 
annoyance, acted like oil upon the troubled wa- 
ters. 

""Mamma,” said Ruby, ""if you persist in keep- 
ing Sandy in the house, my prospects for a glori- 
ous future will certainly fall through. Colonel 
Carleton is said to be immensely wealthy. He is 
a member of a club which owns thousands of 
acres of land in the South, and whose members 


1 8 Sister In Name Only. 

come down in parties every winter for bird shoot- 
ing. Mrs. Dennis had the good luck to meet him 
on her Canadian tour last summer. Colonel 
Carleton has an elegant brown stone mansion in 
Chicago, and a summer residence on the St. Law- 
rence, and he is a widower without children — 
think of it, mamma V 

Here Florence laid her hand lovingly on her 
sister’s, as she asked: ''Ruby, would you marry 
for money and position, without a particle of 
love?” 

"Most certainly,” replied Ruby. "Love be- 
longs to simple-hearted people; I have no cling- 
ing tendencies in my make-up. It’s glorious to 
have love-sick men hanging around and playing 
the devoted, I acknowledge, but I’ve never caught 
the disease. I leave such sentiment for you. 
Floss, and your rustic lover down the street.” 

"Ruby, you are only talking now, but I’m quite 
sure you have too much good sense, and honor, 
ever to wed without love,” said Mrs. Arnold, who 
had listened to the girls’ idle talk. Florence, she 
knew, was in earnest, and she feared Ruby was. 

"Troubles never cease!” exclaimed Ruby. 
"There is that celebrated gossip, Mrs. Greggs, 
putting Sandy through a course of questions.” 

Florence ran quickly to the window, and in the 
most pleasant voice called, "Sandy,” but too late; 


19 


Sister In Name Only. 

he had given the desired information, and Mrs. 
Greggs had entered the gate and was making a 
rapid advance upon the house. Mrs. Greggs was 
very tall and lean, and she had a dark, sallow 
complexion, long, pointed nose, and large emerald 
eyes, slightly popped — eyes, people said, that 
could read your thoughts at a glance. She al- 
ways wore black, like the widow in ‘‘A Trip to 
Chinatown,’’ and was a genuine type of village 
gossip, who roamed abroad every afternoon at 3 
o’clock, hungry for news, seeking what reputa- 
tions she might devour. Slander was all she 
strewed along life’s pathway, this long-beaked 
vulture of small talk, persecution and back-biting. 

It is peculiar what power such people have in 
a village community, and how timid natures 
through fear allow themselves to be daily quizzed 
and overridden by such. 

Scarcely was she seated, of course, before her 
business was made known. ‘T heard a lady say 
^you had fallen very much in love with a North- 
ener. Colonel Carleton, at Mrs. Dennis’s last 
night,’ Ruby, and he had been here at the house 
already, but Sandy and the cook had a fight, and 
your sweetheart was very much shocked at such 
behavior; I also hear ^he’s a married man.’ I 
never allowed my daughters to be taken in by 
married men — ’deed I don’t — and you’d better be 


20 


Sister In Name Only. 

careful — be careful. I hear you made a new 
tarletan dress for Mrs. Dennis’s entertainment.’’ 

In vain Florence tried to change the conversa- 
tion, as Ruby’s temper was rising twenty degrees 
each minute. In vain Mrs. Arnold endeavored 
to quiet matters by saying, ‘‘Sandy only told you 
that for fun, Mrs. Greggs ; there was no fight in 
the house and Colonel Carleton is a widower, and 
Ruby’s dress is crepe de chine and not tarletan.” 

The scorn and indignation on Ruby’s face only 
gave this woman a greater relish for the precious 
morsel of scandal she rolled under her tongue. 
“I did not get it from Sandy,” continued Mrs. 
Greggs. “My servant girl was in the yard and 
saw the fight, saw the cook drag him over the 
whole house, and shut him up in the kitchen, and 
that’s the Lord’s truth.” 

After vainly putting several more questions to 
the hostess, Mrs. Greggs departed for company 
more congenial. At twilight she was seen to 
wend her way homeward. She paused at Mrs. 
Arnold’s gate and craned her neck, to see if any 
one had called during her absence, then passed on 
to dream over the trashy gossip she had threshed 
out all day. 

After this affair things went more smoothly, 
Sandy being kept in strict ignorance of Colonel 
Carleton’s visits. This fine, soldierly old gentle- 


21 


Sister In Name Only. 

man, well preserved for his years, which were 
sixty and eight, was deeply in love with this girl 
of twenty summers. And he came in a straight- 
forward manner to Mrs. Arnold, and he asked 
for the ‘'great pleasure and privilege of laying 
his fortune and heart at the feet of her daughter.’^ 
He told her that Ruby was not his first love ; that 
forty years previous he had loved, wedded, and 
lost. He had loved as man seldom loves, and he 
had since passed almost a lifetime in heart-silent 
fealty to that first attachment. But now he had 
found one who called his heart to life anew, and 
his one aim in life would be the happiness of the 
beautiful young creature who had given new 
meaning to the world for him. 

Now Mrs. Arnold was honest with Colonel 
Carleton in everything, and while through fear of 
Ruby she gave her consent, she advised that he 
be sure of the girl’s love first of all things. Mrs. 
Arnold was tempted to tell him of Ruby’s selfish 
nature, but she did not. 

“It’s all so very sudden,” she said. “If there’s 
anything you wish to know, ask me now. I 
think, dear Colonel Carleton, to be frank with 
you, there’s little in common between May and 
December, but I will leave the matter with you 
of my daughter’s future happiness and your own, 
and I pray you may never have any regrets.” 


22 


Sister In Name Only. 

thank you/’ said the gallant old gentleman, 
‘^you’ve granted me much. The trust shall be 
sacred. Henceforth my life shall be devoted to 
caring for and caressing this priceless Ruby you 
have given into my care, and she shall learn ‘to 
love me and be happy in my keeping.’ ” 

A few days later Ruby came into the dining 
room where the family sat around the little tea- 
table, and held up her hand for inspection. On 
the third finger flashed an elegant cluster dia- 
mond ring that scintillated beautiful colors from 
its delicate facets. A bracelet studded with dia- 
monds also encircled her wrist. “See,” she said 
proudly, “was there ever anything to equal that ?” 
And she held her hand in the light and shadow 
alternately, and smiled, as full of glee as a child 
with a new toy. 

“Flossie, this is the difference between love and 
wealth. And this is only a preliminary,” she 
laughed. “Child, change your foolish notions,” 
said Ruby. 

Mrs. Arnold and Florence admired and praised 
the jewels, which were more expensive than any 
they ever had seen, while Sandy growled in 
ominous derision. He had always disliked Ruby 
(as we have told the reader), who scorned him 
in return; but he loved Florence, who was ever 
gentle and amiable towards his shortcomings. 


23 


Sister In Name Only. 

^They’ll turn to snakes ’round your hands yet, 
for some of your meanness,” snarled Sandy, ‘'and 
I hope they sting and poison when they do.” 

“For shame!” cried Florence. “Sandy, I 
didn’t know you were so cruel, and I am afraid 
you are malicious!” Sandy hung his head, as 
he always did at Florence’s reproaches, and 
sneaked out. But the prophecy was lost on Ruby, 
so entirely was she wrapped up in her glittering 
gems and her good fortune. 

One evening as Colonel Carleton and Ruby 
were seated on the large, old-fashioned settee in 
the most lover-like attitudes, discussing their fu- 
ture and the many elaborate preparations in 
progress, and Ruby so happy in the anticipation 
of wealth, ease and pleasure in her far-away 
home, a most disconcerting and ridiculous thing 
happened. There was a slight upheaval of the 
seat they occupied, a scramble, and Sandy rolled 
out on the floor with an idiotic laugh. His red, 
shaggy locks hung down on his dull-looking 
eyes, with their vacant stare; his whiskers were 
unkempt and varied in tints from red to yellow; 
his face was dirty, his feet bare, his clothes in 
tatters ! 

Colonel Carleton was for the moment thor- 
oughly startled, while Ruby nearly fainted. 
Sandy gravely straightened himself out, arose. 


24 Sister In Name Only. 

and pointing his finger at Ruby, exclaimed: 
''She’s my niece, she is, but she ain’t worth a 
darn — you’d better take the other one — you’d 
better.” With this salute, he fled. Ruby was 
the first to recover herself. She was equal to the 
occasion. She simply explained that "the creat- 
ure must have gotten in the house by stealth. He 
was only a 'farm hand’ on her mother’s plantation 
a few miles distant, and was an idiot, but harm- 
less.” 

However, this unfortunate occurrence caused 
Ruby to hasten the marriage in fear that the re- 
lationship, like murder, should "out.” 

December twenty-ninth was only three weeks 
distant, but she decided on that date, telling her 
lover she should be too busy preparing for the 
happy event to spare him any more time with her, 
and he must be satisfied to come only when he 
heard from her to that effect. 

After the departure of Colonel Carleton Ruby 
indulged in the luxury of hysterics. Mrs. Arnold, 
Florence, and Hagar were much alarmed, and 
tended her lovingly, but Ruby would not be com- 
forted. She vowed that "when she left the house 
it would be forever,” and she "never wanted to 
see any of them again.” 

For this, old Hagar chided her, saying: "De 
berry ole debil is in you, Miss Ruby, an’ no good 


25 


Sister In Name Only. 

’ll come to you, for talk to your mammy dat way, 
for dat Yankee buckrer. Dem Yankee do your 
mammy nuff in de war time, bedout come yer, an’ 
tun ’e chillen gin ’em. Drat dat Sandy, ef I 
ketch ’em I’ll lick him sho’. I nurse ’em all he 
life, now he come yer mak’ ’sturvance.” So say- 
ing, she put Ruby’s feet in a hot bath, as she con- 
tinued: ‘'You got glass an ting on your han’ 
now, ’til he fair shine my eye, den you ain’t sat- 
isfy.” 

Ruby was not consoled by having her cherished 
diamonds called “glass and ting,” still she was 
amused in spite of her worries, and after long 
coaxing and petting, she dropped otf to sleep. 

Sandy, thinking “discretion the better part of 
valor,” kept out of sight for days, receiving his 
food, daily flavored with lectures, from Hagar in 
the kitchen. 

Mrs. Arnold drew largely on her income for 
Ruby’s outfit, and still it was not the half of what 
the girl wished. The simple part of the sewing 
was done at home by Florence and her mother, 
and night after night found them at twelve 
o’clock still in the sewing room. All the dresses 
and bonnets were ordered. In the meantime 
Colonel Carleton had returned to his Northern 
home to superintend preparations for the recep- 
tion of his Southern bride. It was decided that 


56 Sister In Name Only. 

the marriage should take place in the village 
church at noon, December 29th, and after a re- 
ception at the home, the bride and groom should 
leave on the afternoon train for their home in 
Chicago. 

Already the cakes, wine, and champagne were 
ordered. Ruby was determined Mrs. Greggs 
should be thwarted and outwitted for once. Daily 
visits were paid by this old friend, who antici- 
pated every detail and discussed every prep- 
aration. 

One morning she proved to be especially ag- 
gressive, and said to Ruby: “I heard a lady say 
you were not making any clothes, but intended 
getting them after your marriage in order to save 
your mother expense 

‘‘ThaCs my affair, madamef’ quickly retorted 
Ruby. Here Florence explained how everything 
beautiful had been already ordered, and would be 
shown her before the marriage. 

^'Plenty of money, has he?’’ continued the irre- 
pressible Mrs. Greggs. ‘^1 heard he did not have 
much, and what he had came through his wife, 
who, some people say, is still living, but left him 
long ago!” 

‘‘Mrs. Greggs, are you prepared to bring your 
author for this base scandal?” cried Ruby, livid 
with rage. 


27 


Sister In Name Only. 

‘'No, I never like my name called in such 
matters, for while I’m very candid, I’m 
truthful. What is the man’s business, how much 
wages does he get?” she went on. 

“He don’t get wages, madame ; he is a million- 
aire,” said Ruby, as she swept from the room. 

“Well, I must go to our prayer-meeting,” con- 
tinued the visitor. “I never neglect my duties 
in life; we have a sweet, lovely prayer-meeting,, 
for women only. I’m a Baptist, like the lady 
who conducts it. I think the Baptists the most 
conscientious — by the way, I hear your Episcopal 
minister is going to leave because he don’t get 
his salary, and that his clothes are shabby and 
shoes all worn.” 

And with this parting shot she proceeded 
towards the house of prayer, where people’s 
characters are ripped up, private affairs discussed, 
servants’ shortcomings rehearsed, and “her girl 
told my girl so and so” is a chorus between the 
prayers and the Moody and Sankey hymns. One 
thing worthy of note is that men do not invaria- 
bly say, “I heard a lady say,” or “I heard,” or 
“So I heard.” Seldom do the blessed men come 
into their hearings ! 

On her return from prayer-meeting Mrs. 
Greggs stopped in to say she’d just heard “Colo- 
nel Carleton would not return South, as on his 


28 Sister In Name Only. 

last visit to Ruby Sandy had gotten under the 
sofa to listen and disgraced them all by claiming 
kin, etc., etc. 

All this to Hagar, who met her at the door 
and told her, ''De whole fambly done gone out, 
and sho’ dey got gran’ tings fur de weddin’ ” — 
Hagar had been well posted by Ruby ! 

The wedding morn dawned hot and cloudy; 
warm for December, as is natural in Southern 
latitudes. The dining-room and parlor of Ruby’s 
village home were bowers of sweet-smelling 
evergreens, roses, geraniums, and japonicas. 

The church was prettily decorated also; Flor- 
ence’s girl friends each did their best towards the 
success of the affair. A rich man’s wedding in 
a quiet little village is quite an event, and creates 
an indescribable flutter of excitement. It is a 
nine days’ sensation. 

A sumptuous carriage and pair of gray horses, 
with silver-mounted harness, and a driver and 
footman both in livery, had been sent by Colonel 
Carleton for the occasion. 

When this magnificent affair, carrying the 
bridal party, drew up in front of the church and 
Lohengrin’s Wedding March struck up, all eyes 
were turned as if bewildered by this dazzling 
spectacle. Ruby took almost malicious delight 
in gazing straight into the eyes of her old tor- 


29 


Sister In Name Only. 

mentor, Mrs. Greggs. For once the old torment 
was checkmated. Her eyes were fixed and glassy, 
and her mouth wide open. She stood as if rooted 
to the ground, staring at the turn-out more than 
at the bride. It had gotten into the village, and 
she ''had not heard about it.’' 

The beautiful, solemn service of the Episcopal 
Church was read, and the words, "so long as ye 
both shall live,” and at the conclusion, "What 
God hath joined together let no man put asun- 
der,” fell on the ears of the young bride with 
startling and almost novel meaning. Even at 
the altar it first occurred to Ruby what she was 
really doing, and with it she thought, "It seems a 
long time to go into bondage.” Florence shed 
tears throughout the ceremony. Bright, spark- 
ling tears rolled down her cheeks, and fell on her 
pretty white silk dress. She felt the awful sin 
of a union without love, and feared her sister 
would suffer. Sandy’s cruel prophecy haunted 
her, and it was with a mighty effort that she held 
out and discharged her duties. 

The bride was resplendent in a long trailing 
gown of white silk ; orange blossoms in profusion 
were on the gown, and formed the wreath she 
wore, and a filmy veil fell in fleecy folds to the 
hem of her skirt. A diamond necklace with a 
heavy pendant of diamonds, the gift of the 


30 Sister In Name Only. 

groom, encircled her white neck, and she carried 
an immense bouquet of bride’s roses and ferns. 
The groom was distinguished looking in his 
smart attire; happiness gave a youthful appear- 
ance to his strong face. 

At last all was over. The reception went off 
without a hitch. Owing to faithful Hagar, and 
the vigilance of Florence, Sandy was ‘^scarce.’’ 
''Farewells” were soon said and the newly- 
wedded couple embarked upon the sea of matri- 
mony without even a halo of romance. The bride 
smiled as she waved good-bye from the carriage 
window to the group of loved ones at the gate. 

About this time Sandy was once more at large ; 
he came up jubilant. "Now,” he said, "we’ll all 
be happy, we will ! I fixed her up, I did !” But 
what he had done they could never make him tell. 
Hagar gave vent to her feelings in tears, as she 
sobbed, "Dis is bad nuff, but I hope dis ole nigger 
will neber live to see de day when Miss Florence 
will go so fur wid dem mens, for I don’ feel right 
’bout Miss Ruby, nohow.” With this comfort- 
ing remark, she returned to her domestic affairs. 

Mrs. Arnold and Florence continued to live in 
their quiet home, happy and content with each 
other and with their surroundings. They affec- 
tionately thought of and prayed for, the absent 
girl, and wrote long letters of loving counsel to 


Sister In Name Only. 31 

her each week. Florence had many admirers and 
was now the belle of the village. She liked them 
all, but she loved none. ‘'I shall never marry,'" 
she said, '^till the man I can love presents him- 
self, and as that’s not liable to be soon, and mother 
needs me, I shall probably be an old maid — I 
trust a good and useful one.” 

Ruby Carleton has been married three months. 
Winter still holds the great city which is now her 
home in a tight grip. Outside a mantle of snow 
covers everything. Within all is bright and in- 
viting. Ruby in a beautiful apartment of her 
beautiful home stands before the long, wide mir- 
ror, as she puts the finishing touches to her dainty 
toilet, and in her own judgment pronounces it 
perfect, before she descends to the dining-room 
where her husband is awaiting her. As she en- 
ters, he advances to meet her, saying: ^Tor one 
time, dear, we’ll have a tete-a-tete dinner. 
There are positively no guests to-day, love, and 
I’ll have my little wife all to myself. How beau- 
tiful you are this evening. Ruby !” and he took her 
into his arms and kissed her tenderly. 

'Tt will be very lonely, dear, will it not ?” she 
said. ^^How about the box-party at the theatre 
we were planning for last evening?” 

‘^Oh, I have several excuses for you, Ruby. 


32 Sister In Name Only. 

Clark was called away from town, and the others 
found various excuses with many regrets,’' said 
the husband. 

‘‘We’ll go, at any rate,” replied Ruby. “I’ve 
been resting all the afternoon during the snow- 
storm, and feel as if I must go somewhere.” 

“Certainly, dear, if it’s your wish, I shall be 
happy to take you, and will order the sleigh and 
ponies around after dinner,” said the doting hus- 
band. 

It was with a feeling of pride that he led his 
beautiful young wife to their box in the theatre 
that evening, where they were soon joined by 
several dandies, who affected eye-glasses and car- 
ried gold-headed canes. 

Mrs. Carleton was the center of attraction, as 
usual, and when her soft ermine opera cloak was 
thrown back, revealing her exquisite arms and 
neck, and her superb jewels, many were the 
glances of admiration she received, and she could 
live on admiration alone. 

In the forenoons Mrs. Carleton’s musical 
sleigh-bells were heard along the most fashion- 
able drives, and her ladyship, wrapped in elegant 
furs and escorted by a friend of her husband, 
drew the glances of the fashionable people and 
the gay Lotharios who were out. In the after- 
noons, for two hours she rested, before dressing 


33 


Sister In Name Only. 

for the evening’s amusement. In dinner parties, 
balls, and receptions, she led society. Hers were 
always the most select affairs, but few in number. 

Colonel Carleton, who liked a quiet life best of 
all things, and evenings at home, enjoying the 
happiness he had anticipated, gave up his wishes 
entirely, making a martyr of himself for Ruby’s 
pleasure, until Ruby gained a complete victory 
over him. She simply lived on excitement, for- 
getting every duty in life and every obligation to 
her devoted husband. 

There was to be an elegant ball at the Carleton 
home just after Easter. Ruby had really ex- 
hausted her inventiveness planning for this event. 
At length all was in readiness. The guests were 
invited, many more than was usual. Some favor- 
ite of Mrs. Carleton asked permission to bring 
one of his old friends who had just graduated at 
Heidelberg and returned to America. This 
friend was rich, handsome, and highly educated, 
his father being a millionaire in New York City. 

On the evening of the ball the palatial residence 
of the Carletons presented a striking appear- 
ance. 

The front parlors were dimly lighted with 
soft colored lights and decorated with costly and 
fragrant flowers. Handsome mirrors reflected 
the beauty of the scene and enhanced its loveli- 


34 Sister In Name Only. 

ness. The band was set at just the right distance 
to fill the rooms with soft, sweet music. The 
dainty little boudoir in sky blue had its walls hung 
with tapestry of turquoise hue, with painted 
stars and white, drifting clouds. The couches 
and chairs were in the same shade of vel- 
vet, and the carpet was of pale blue velvet with 
white roses. A few pieces of sculpture of gleam- 
ing white marble, Venus at the bath ; one of Eu- 
terpe, and one of Apollo, adorned this beautiful 
room. In one recess a cozy corner was curtained 
off with soft silken drapery, embroidered in gold 
and white. This corner contained an elaborate 
couch and tete-a-tete lunch table, on which was 
a dainty silver and gold tea service. A dim blue 
tinted light rendered the picture perfect. 

The ball room was brilliantly lighted. Im- 
mense palms surrounded the stand where the mu- 
sicians sat, and the smooth and polished floor was 
inviting to all lovers of the terpsichorean art. 

At just the right moment Ruby swept into the 
reception room, where her husband sat in deep 
thought. She was a dazzling vision in white 
satin and silver trimmings. It seemed impossi- 
ble for one gown to hold so many sparkling, 
flashing gems as hers did. Her neck and arms 
were bare; a single band of jewels clasped across 
the shoulder held her bodice in place. Diamonds 


35 


Sister In Name Only. 

flashed from her throat, wrists and hands. A 
diamond crescent in her golden hair finished the 
gorgeous creation she wore. 

Colonel Carleton, ever courteous and thought- 
ful towards his young wife, met her with a smile 
of admiration as he complimented her charming 
taste in all things; ^'but I fear. Ruby,’' he said, 
‘^you are overtaxing your strength. You live in 
a whirl of excitement. Could we not have one 
evening at home for our own enjoyment each 
week?” he asked, kindly, with a pleading accent 
in his tone. 

''Oh, we have Sunday,” she replied, a little 
testily, as she adjusted her dress before the long 
mirror. 

"But there’s always some one here on Sunday 
evenings,” said Colonel Carleton. 

"Well, dear, if you object to company, go to 
your room, the library, or anywhere you like. I 
believe in people following their own inclinations 
in every respect,” Ruby said. 

"But, my dear, it is your company I crave,” re- 
monstrated the husband. 

"That you have always !” laughed Ruby, "and 
if it were not for a change you would soon grow 
tired of me. It’s human nature, man’s espe- 
cially.” 

"O, darling, I could never, never tire of you !” 


36 Sister In Name Only. 

he said, coming nearer, with outstretched hands. 

‘'Don’t touch my dress!” she cried, “kiss my 
hand, if you like.” 

Just at that moment some guests were an- 
nounced and very soon the rooms were filled. 
Gay groups stood about, laughing and chatting 
as Ruby received her guests. Some one said, 
“Permit me to present my friend,” and she turned 
and saw her favorite, Arthur Clark, by her side. 
She welcomed him and looked up to his friend. 
Their eyes met, and they stood many seconds 
gazing into each other’s eyes after the first greet- 
ings. 

Ruby thought she had never before seen such 
a fine specimen of manhood. Tall, and broad- 
shouldered, olive complexioned, with bold black 
eyes and wavy hair, he was of the kind that wo- 
men admire. Colonel Carleton welcomed the 
stranger warmly, charmed to learn that his father, 
Paul Gibson, was an old friend of his own. They 
had been college chums, and later in life were in 
the army together. 

Ruby was more brilliant than usual this even- 
ing. She gave most of her dances to Paul Gib- 
son, as she felt it a duty to the stranger guest, 
and although she introduced him to numerous 
belles, still he always found his early way back 
to the charming hostess. 


37 


Sister In Name Only. 

In strolling around, they entered the boudoir, 
and there Ruby’s escort insisted on her resting 
a few minutes. It was a temptation, and she 
lifted the drapery which hid the cozy corner. 

''Ah !” exclaimed Paul, "could one crave aught 
more than this?” and adjusting the soft pillows, 
he insisted on Ruby’s resting there. As he sat 
beside her, he said : "Close your eyes, do not 
speak; you are now in my care and I must see 
that you rest. Let me do the talking, and if I 
should talk on forever, I could never express the 
half I feel. This evening is the opening of the 
gates of paradise to me. Yes, opened by these 
two beautiful hands of yours! I never before 
knew the world held so much joy as I’ve felt 
since I entered this charmed abode. I shall take 
away memories to-night that will never be erased. 
Why? I know not. I am simply held by a spell. 
As a rule. I’ve heretofore been invulnerable to wo- 
man’s beauty and charm, but since meeting you, 
Mrs. Carleton, I’ve been filled with a strange, 
sweet happiness ” 

"Ruby, Ruby !” called a girlish voice near the 
door. It called back the dreamers who had wan- 
dered for a time away from realities into a lan- 
guorous world of romance. As they arose to leave, 
Paul Gibson’s piercing eyes rested caressingly on 
Ruby’s face. As she walked through the cur- 


38 Sister In Name Only. 

tains she dropped her dainty lace handkerchief. 
He stooped quickly, snatched it from the floor, 
and placed it in his bosom. Ruby smiled at the 
act, but made no comment as she passed out to 
her guests. 

^'How do you like my friend?'' queried Arthur 
Clark of Ruby a little later. ^^Do you know, Mrs. 
Carleton, I am getting real jealous, and will leave 
the chap at home in future; why, positively, I've 
been deprived of your charming society all the 
evening." 

Ruby laughed a merry, happy laugh, as she 
replied : 

^^Surely, you do not think I have forgotten you 
for a moment. Your friend was being enter- 
tained solely to please you." 

''Don't do it, again," said Arthur. "For me. 
Southern women have a charm all their own. 
They fascinate at a glance ; with their soft voices 
and winning ways they creep right into a fellow's 
heart. By the way. Ruby, how did you happen 
to marry the grandfather?" 

"Hush! you naughty boy, or I'll banish you, 
and recall your friend, who does not make such 
personal remarks," said Ruby, with a charming 
blush and smile. 

"Your guests are waiting to make their adieux. 


Sister In Name Only. 39 

Ruby,” said her husband, as he approached her 
for the first time in several hours. 

^'Au revoir,” whispered Paul Gibson, as he 
pressed Ruby’s hand at parting, and looked into 
her eyes with a searching gaze. '^You will live 
in my thoughts till I see you again. May I ask 
permission to call very soon ?” 

^'For the next three days I have numerous en- 
gagements,” said Ruby, ''but at noon of the 
fourth day I shall be at home to you alone.” 

"Thank you ; but those four days will seem an 
eternity,” said the gay cavalier. The meek- 
eyed* husband stood by, discharging graciously 
his duties as host, till the last guest departed and 
quiet again reigned. "I congratulate you, my 
dear wife, on your charming success. Your en- 
tertainment was perfect in every way. You were 
the peerless belle of the occasion,” said Colonel 
Carleton, turning to his wife, who had dropped 
wearily into an armchair. 

"Oh, I’m too tired to talk !” she said. "Good 
night,” and she walked away with scarcely a look 
at her husband, who sighed deeply, and went to 
his own room. 

Ruby kept up this continual round of gayety, 
not one day devoted to any serious duty in life. 
Her husband she neglected more and more, but 
he was becoming reconciled to being left alone. 


40 Sister In Name Only. 

and in a great measure gave up his pleasure and 
rights that his wife might have the life she 
seemed to crave. He thought the time might 
come when she would tire of it all. 

Paul Gibson was ever at Ruby's side. Other 
admirers gave way, one after another, to their 
new rival. 

One morning at breakfast Colonel Carleton 
asked, ''Ruby, do you ever write home ?" 

"Yes, indeed, whenever it's necessary," she re- 
plied. "But really, one has very little time for 
writing letters, and beside, I'm no scribe. Do you 
realize," she went on, changing the subject ab- 
ruptly, "that to-morrow is the first of June, and 
no plans are made for our summer vacation? 
Now, from what you have told me, I know your 
summer home on the St. Lawrence is a very quiet 
place, and provided we go there, we must have 
many visitors to help dispel the monotony." 

"To that I strictly object!" exclaimed the 
Colonel, with more spirit than he had before 
shown. "We've never had a quiet day since our 
marriage, and a few weeks in our delightful 
summer home to ourselves would be most accept- 
able to me." 

"I presume," replied Ruby, with a half sneer, 
"it's only Mr. Carleton who is to be considered 
in the matter? Well, I'll remain here sooner 


41 


Sister In Name Only. 

than go and bury myself in any isolated place 
without any social diversions. You can go wher- 
ever you like/’ she continued, shall do the 
same. Probably I shall spend the greater part 
of the summer at Niagara.” 

^Tine scheme!” retorted Colonel Carleton, bit- 
terly, ^^your first summer of married life absent 
from your husband. Ruby, you’ve had already 
considerably more latitude than is usual for a 
young and beautiful bride. Remember, people’s 
eyes are upon you, searching for the first faint 
breath of suspicion.” 

Ruby brought her jeweled hand down on the 
table as she retorted: ^^Now, let us understand 
each other for good. We shall each do just ex- 
actly as we please, and actually try and amuse the 
gossips. But do not fear for me, because I am 
more prudent than two-thirds of the women of 
the present day. But bear in mind that women 
no longer resign themselves into bondage in ex- 
change for the great honor of being a wife, 
nor will I do so. Assert your authority over 
your servants, Mr. Carleton, if you wish to exer- 
cise it, but do not attempt to use it on me 1” and 
with eyes flashing and head erect his wife swept 
from the room. 

Not long after this rupture Ruby was reclining 
in her boudoir. Paul Gibson was at her side 


42 Sister In Name Only. 

and he was in his insidious way seeking to com- 
fort her after a narration of the scene with her 
husband. 

''Don't cross him too much, Ruby ! Your finan- 
cial future depends much on your preserving the 
entente cordiale, you know," said Paul. "There 
are many ways to get around him without open 
defiance. Think of my own devotion fo.* you and 
my yearning to see you in happier circumstances. 
Wherever you go. Ruby, be it near or far, I shall 
be there. Every hour drags wearily by when I 
am away from you, from the sunshine of your 
sweet presence. The chiefest gift that life holds 
for me is your love. Ruby, be I right or wrong. 
Why is fate so cruel, that I must feel this hope- 
less love, the most bitter of all anguish ?" 

"Paul," spoke Ruby, "I know it is wrong for 
me to allow you to speak thus to me." She 
spoke slowly, as weighing each word. "But it 
is very sweet to hear it, and to feel that you care 
for me. Really, do you like me so much, Paul ?" 

"Like you. Ruby?" he answered. "Never before 
has woman awakened the feelings in my heart 
that you have. The first evening we met the 
whole world was changed for me. I knew I had 
found my fate, the queen among women." 

"Paul, I truly wish it had been you who came 
South last winter instead of the one who did." 


Sister In Name Only. 43 

^Would you really have given me the wealth 
of bliss I now crave, Ruby?’’ 

^'Don’t ask me too much,” she replied, but with 
a smile and a blush she added : ^ Who knows but 
we may be happy yet, Paul? And while we are 
waiting for that happiness, dear, while Hope 
whispers her alluring promises, will you be true 
to me? For sometimes I fear you are happy with 
others ?” 

^^Never so happy as when with you,” said 
Ruby, ^'be satisfied with that assurance!” And 
thus they drifted on in clandestine bliss, and 
thinking only of the moment’s feelings, thinking 
not of what it might lead to. People without 
love in their lives should have many excuses made 
for their shortcomings, for love is the refiner and 
purifier of human nature. It can develop all 
that’s noble and grand in man or woman, even 
when it brings bitterness to others who have loved 
and have lost. The summer was a continuation 
of such gayeties as had marked the winter and 
spring. Mrs. Carleton and her guests spent a 
month at Niagara, but her husband was not 
there. Later, she went to the pretty home on 
the St. Lawrence, where she kept open house. 
One house party quickly followed the other at 
their beautiful island retreat. So agreeable was 
the gracious host that there was no outward sign 


44 Sister In Name Only. 

from Colonel Carleton of the heart-hunger that 
had entered his life, but many pitied him who 
were cognizant of the relations between him and 
his young wife. And yet he truly loved his wife — 
loved her more than ever — and was bitterly 
grieved that she should treat him with indiffer- 
ence — ^yes, even contempt. He was utterly alone 
even in the gay parties in which his wife joined 
with all the zest lent by her fresh beauty and her 
bounding spirits. 

At last the summer waned, and the winter 
home in the great noisy city was again thrown 
open. Colonel Carleton and his wife have been 
back in their town house just one month. For 
Ruby it was a ceaseless round of society affairs 
in general. Suddenly Colonel Carleton an- 
nounced his intention of going South with some 
members of his club for an indefinite period ; and 
he asked Ruby if she would like to accompany 
him. 

Ruby hesitated. ''Of course,’' she said, "I’d 
like to go, but there are many things to oppose 
my wishes. The principal objection is that I 
fear I should die of ennui! I know I should. 
Of course, I’d like to see mother and Florence, 
and beside, it’s quite the thing to go South in 
winter, you know.” 

"Very well,” replied her husband. "Make 


Sister In Name Only. 45 

whatever arrangements you like ; I shall not inter- 
fere/’ 

shall not take any friends with me, for I 
know not how long my visit may be,” said Ruby, 
‘‘and please, dear, see that a suite of rooms be 
done over for me at the old home — furnishings 
sent in advance — including my carriage and 
ponies. I shall write to mother to-day,” she con- 
tinued, “but shall not leave here for a month, at 
least.” 

Three weeks later the Southern home was in 
a state of confusion. Two expert builders from 
Chicago had added a large suite of rooms to the 
left of the old parlor, and the entire house had 
been painted and refurnished in every detail. One 
would scarcely recognize the old place. Colonel 
Carleton when he arrived at the clubhouse went 
over daily to superintend the improvements, 
and he found it very delightful, for Florence 
was so attentive to him in every way. Several 
times that wild warning of Sandy’s recurred to 
his mind — “You’d better take the other one”— 
with a certain sad suggestiveness. 

“I’m proud of my beautiful wife,” he thought. 
“Every one admires her beauty, and she reigns 
queen on all occasions. I’m an old man and must 
not expect perfect congeniality in one so much 


46 Sister In Name Only. 

my junior,” and with a sigh he would strive to 
think of other things. 

At last all was in readiness. The improve- 
ments were pronounced perfect, and Mrs. Carle- 
ton was once more back in her old Southern 
home, where she received an affectionate wel- 
come from all but Sandy, whom she greeted with 
a stiff nod. 

Mrs. Arnold and Florence were greatly de- 
lighted to have Ruby with them again, and ex- 
erted themselves to please her in every possible 
manner, dreading that she might find it dull after 
so many months of gay city life. 

'‘How do you all exist in this place?” asked 
Ruby, with a yawn, the second day after her arri- 
val. "Really, I don’t know how I endured it for 
so many years. But then I knew nothing of the 
world. Now I do, and could never again stand 
this humdrum life. It simply gives me the blues 
to even think of it.” 

"We are very content. Ruby, dear; truly, the 
days are not long enough for me sometimes. I’m 
never lonely or unhappy,” answered her mother; 
"why should I be ?” 

"And if the gay cities and their society should 
have that effect on me, I trust I may never see 
beyond the Mason and Dixon line,” laughed 
Florence. 


47 


Sister In Name Only. 

‘‘Flossie, there will be probably two of my par- 
ticular friends here in a very short time — ^to- 
morrow, I expect. The Northern men are so 
different from the Southern; you’ll be charmed. 
Floss, I know you will !” said Ruby. 

“In what way are they different?” asked Flor- 
ence. 

“Oh, they are not so slow, and narrow,” said 
Ruby. “They are up-to-date, don’t you know?”' 

“Why, Ruby!” exclaimed Florence, “I’m sur^ 
prised. Our Southern men are remarkable for 
their gallantry, refinement, and above all, their 
high regard for womanhood. And I judge from 
what I’ve seen of the males over the line that they 
are lacking in — well, we’ll not discuss it further ! 
Your friends shall have a warm welcome, and I’ll 
do all I can to entertain and make their visit pleas- 
ant.” 

“That’s a dear girl !” said Ruby, and no further 
reference was made to the visitors. About three 
days later Paul Gibson and Arthur Clark arrived 
at the Club House, a few miles distant. The 
magnet which drew them may easily be guessed, 
and the days spent at the club were few. 

Arthur Clark was delighted with everything in 
general, and charmed with Florence more than 
he had ever been with Ruby. He was young 
and dashing, but valued character more than most 


48 


Sister In Name Only. 

men do. Mrs. Arnold was pleased with him from 
the first, and his jolly, boyish ways made the 
whole place cheerful and bright. 

In the forenoons Mrs. Carleton and Florence, 
with the gentlemen, who took their dogs and 
guns, would spend hours on horseback, riding 
through pine or oak groves, hunting whatever 
game could be found. A lunch was taken along, 
and many care-free hours were spent. 

Colonel Carleton seldom interfered. He was 
greatly changed in manner and looks, and seemed 
to show his age more than in twenty years. Youth 
is buoyant and throws off trouble, but age suc- 
cumbs quickly to its ravages; with the flight of 
time the heart grows more sensitive to grief, and 
sorrow makes deeper marks in it. And on the 
face the hand of Time traces more cruelly the his- 
tory of life's defeated hopes. 

Mrs. Arnold was fully conscious of the situa- 
tion, and endeavored to do all in her power to 
cheer the neglected and lonely husband, and to 
recall Ruby to a sense of her duty. With tears 
and entreaties she pleaded with her to render that 
affection and fidelity to her husband which should 
be his alone, and for want of which his heart was 
being broken, if only for the sake of keeping still 
the tongue of scandal, but it was apparently in 


vain. 


49 


Sister In Name Only. 

I annoy you, mother, I can leave immedi- 
ately,’’ rejoined Ruby. ^‘Colonel Carleton, my 
husband, has the same privileges for enjoying life 
that I have, and if he prefers solitude to society, 
it’s no fault of mine. No 'Darby and Joan’ for 
me, if you please. That dates back to a remote 
epoch. This age suggests improvements in so- 
cial life as in everything else. I often see my 
husband with Sandy, by the way. Has he ever 
inquired of you who Sandy is?” 

"Never,” said Mrs. Arnold; and before the 
conversation was concluded Florence and Arthur 
came in, as bright and joyous as two children. 

"Oh, say!” exclaimed Arthur, "we had a de- 
lightful stroll down the village, and met the most 
comical old lady I ever talked to in my life. She 
asked a thousand questions and said ‘She’d like 
to visit Mrs. Arnold, but she’s afraid to come here 
now, there’s so much of all kinds of talk going 
around the place, and she can’t afford to have her 
name handled, for people would say she was com- 
ing here to meet the gang of men hanging around 
the house’ ! Think of it ! An old grandmother, 
seventy if she’s a day,” said Arthur, with eyes 
dancing with fun. "I begged her to come, and 
keep a-coming. She smiled and flirted herself 
around most coquettishly.” 

"Yes, mamma; I could not help it; he just 


50 Sister In Name Only. 

flirted with Mrs. Greggs and told her shocking 
things, which she actually believed,’’ said Flor- 
ence. 

'When she comes, Arthur, remember, you will 
entertain her!” said Ruby. "She’s a most dan- 
gerous gossip, and I detest her, and will not be 
brought forward to answer her questions. Mam- 
ma and Florence seem to think it a religious duty 
to exercise patience with such people, but I al- 
ways fire a hot shot when she presumes with me.” 

The time was short, however, before Mrs. 
Greggs made a call, "her duty,” she said. She 
came up so noiselessly that she greatly surprised 
the family group in the sitting-room one morning 
early after breakfast. The two gentlemen guests 
were present. 

Arthur arose with an expectant expression in 
anticipation of some fun. 

"I’m delighted !” he exclaimed, as he took her 
hand, led her forward^ and introduced her to 
his friend. 

"Mrs. Greggs, Mr. Gibson,” he said. 

"Married man ?” she asked, before the greetings 
were over. 

"Yes’m, man of family,” replied Arthur, wink- 
ing at Ruby, who coldly extended the tips of her 


Sister In Name Only. 51 

fingers to the visitor and said an icy good morn- 
ing. 

'Where’s your wife and children?” continued 
Mrs. Greggs, keeping an eye on Paul. 

"Ask my friend who made the announcement,” 
stiffly retorted Paul, he having been forewarned 
by Ruby of the coming of this interesting indi- 
vidual. 

"It is a custom of the married men North to be 
single while in the South,” explained Arthur, 
with much gravity. 

"Where’s your wife, then?” asked the worthy 
lady. 

"I am here in search of one,” he replied. "Can 
you give me any hints as to where I may pay my 
attentions?” inquired Arthur. 

"Plenty of girls here, old maids and widows, 
all looking out, but can’t find a husband,” said 
Mrs. Greggs. "Now, when I was a girl I had 
plenty of beaux. I was engaged to three at a 
time.” 

"Hot stuff !” almost yelled Arthur. "But, 
madame, you are cruel. I fear you are a gay de- 
ceiver. Are all Southern ladies so constituted ?’‘ 

"Oh, no; that was in my day,” and before he 
could reply the old chatterer turned sharply to 
Mrs. Arnold. 


52 Sister In Name Only. 

‘Where is your son-in-law ? I see your daugh- 
ter driving, and riding all the time with another 
man. Isn’t she afraid of talk? I heard a lady 
say, ‘Colonel Carleton is looking aged and un- 
happy.’ ” 

Before this stage of the conversation Ruby and 
Paul had happily slipped out of the room. 

‘^Colonel Carleton is the proudest and happiest 
man on earth, and justly so,” said Arthur, saving 
Mrs. Arnold the trouble of a controversy. “Mrs. 
Carleton reigned belle of society so long as she 
remained West and North; she was literally be- 
sieged by friends and admirers.” 

“I don’t approve of married women having ad- 
mirers,” said Mrs. Greggs ; “when they do there’s 
something behind the scenes. Where does Colo- 
nel Carleton stay, here, or at the club house?” 
she questioned. 

“Our party stays wherever her ladyship wills 
it, madame. Colonel Carleton entertains his 
guests wherever his loved wife dictates. Some 
days she prefers the society of her husband alone, 
and we remain at the club till summoned to her 
charming presence again,” said Arthur, the smile 
gradually dying out of his face. 

After staring at him a full minute, Mrs. Greggs 


Sister In Name Only. 53 

proceeded : ‘^Have you met Mrs. Carleton’s Uncle 
Sandy T' 

'Tyq not yet had that pleasure, but if he’s Mrs. 
Carleton’s uncle, I’d feel honored to make his 
acquaintance. Have you any daughters, ma- 
dame ?” 

^'Oh, yes! I have six; all married well; only 
one single, and she could have been married long 
ago, if she had been so inclined. Do you expect 
to marry any of the village girls, sir?” 

'^'Since you’ve told me about the heartless man- 
ner in which they engage themselves to three men 
at one time, madame, you’ve scared me.” 

To this she did not reply, but turned to Flor- 
ence, saying: 

'T expect you have a great deal more work to 
do since your sister’s return. I hear you have 
another servant. She told my girl you only gave 
her one dollar per month, and wanted her to milk 
cows, scrub, and help cook. She told my girl 
also, that ^you did not have time to take in any 
sewing work since the crowd came, and you had 
bought two new dresses to wear while you had 
company.” 

Florence blushed painfully to have her private 
affairs aired in the presence of strangers, while 


54 Sister In Name Only. 

Mrs. Arnold sat and sewed, the picture of dignity 
and disgust. 

Arthur was enjoying the fun till the old vulture 
turned on Florence, and then his combativeness 
wakened. Mrs. Greggs took one long breath and 
started again. 

''How is it, Florence, you never went on a 
visit to your sister’s home? — too much expense, 
eh? If you strike the luck she seems to have 
done so far, you can go, and take your mother; 
but what will become of Sandy?” 

"Mrs. Greggs, I don’t know what you are talk- 
ing about, and I’ll be glad to discuss matters less 
personal,” said Florence, with rising vexation, 
while Arthur gave her an encouraging nod. 

Mrs. Greggs subsided for just two minutes, and 
then timidly announced her latest : 

"I hear Mrs. Smith’s cook has left her and she 
has to do her own work. They say she’s ashamed 
to be seen working, and hides herself so people 
won’t know. She does most of her work at night. 
I made it my business to ask her who she had 
now. She colored up and said, 'I’ve sent to the 
city for a servant.’ She can’t afford any such 
thing, and everybody knows it. That neighbor 
of mine puts on a lot of airs, and she has the 
worst children living. I looked through the back 


55 


Sister In Name Only. 

fence one day to satisfy myself if she was really 
working in the garden, and one of her boys turned 
the hose on me. I reported him to his father, 
and he made the boy come over and apologize.’’ 

Then turning to Arthur, Mrs. Greggs inquired : 

^TIow long do you expect to remain here, Mr. 
Clark?” 

^^Just as long as possible, madame,” he replied. 
‘Tndeed, it would break my heart to leave very 
soon,” and he gave Florence a smile of admira- 
tion. 

^What is your business?” continued Mrs. 
Greggs, as if her powers were newly renewed. 

‘T have a law ofifice at present, madame, where 
I’m learning to cross-question my victims,” he an- 
swered. 

'T heard a lady say you resembled a picture 
peddler who came to her house two years ago ! 
Ever been here before?” 

^'Possibly I’m the same, madame. Does your 
lady friend remember the name of the peddler?” 

Seeing the meaning wink that accompanied this 
remark, Mrs. Greggs arose to leave, but stopped 
at the door to say: ‘T hear you have two new 
rooms full of new furniture. Will your daugh- 
ter take it back when she goes ?” 


56 Sister In Name Only. 

''I presume she will not,” said Mrs. Arnold, 
quietly. 

'Where do you all keep Sandy? I never see 
him since the company came. I hear he is often 
seen at the club house !” 

At this remark Florence and Mrs. Arnold ex- 
changed glances, and tried to conceal their sur- 
prise, for if such were the case it boded no good 
for Ruby. 

When the door closed on the unwelcome visi- 
tor, Arthur Clark burst into a hearty laugh. 

"Bring her on again,” he said. 

"Please do not,” entreated Florence ; "she’s the 
Nemesis of our lives. She anticipates and pre- 
dicts every event in the neighborhood, even before 
it’s decreed by the All-Wise, I believe, and if you 
continue to encourage her, you will suffer for it, 
Mr. Clark.” 

"She’s a whole circus — it’s the greatest fun I 
ever enjoyed,” Arthur said, laughing again. "She 
beats Hagar, and I thought all the fun was in 
her.” 

"Hagar is not vicious,” said Mrs. Arnold; 
"she’s one of the old time negroes, and she has a 
good heart.” 

From this time on Mrs. Arnold and Florence 
kept a watch on Sandy’s movements. He often 


57 


Sister In Name Only. 

disappeared at nightfall, and this caused Mrs. 
Arnold many uneasy moments. In fear of the 
worst, she intimated to Colonel Carleton that 
Sandy was not responsible and was ‘^subject to 
violent dislikes to certain people, and to avoid him 
if possible.’’ 

One morning Mrs. Arnold received a note from 
her son-in-law stating that he was indisposed and 
would not join the family that day as usual, and 
not to look for him. 

She could not understand it and hastened to 
Ruby for an explanation. 

“I suppose, mamma, it is one of his freaks. 
When he tires of company, he always secludes 
himself for several days,” answered Ruby. 

^^But, my dear child, your husband is unwell. 
You should go at once to him,” pleaded Mrs. Ar- 
nold. 

''Really, mother, I cannot; I have an engage- 
ment. If he gets worse, or desires my presence, 
I shall do as you wish. Oh dear, here is Paul 
and I’m not ready. Mother, do not wait dinner 
for us, for we shall not return in time, and shall 
lunch out somewhere.” 

To this Mrs. Arnold made no reply. She knew 
it would be useless, that she was powerless to im- 


58 Sister In Name Only. 

prove matters, or to heal the ever-widening breach 
between the young and the old heart. 

Arthur Clark remained at home with Florence 
and her mother all day long. It was ‘'baking 
day,'’ as Hagar termed it, and she needed Miss 
Florence to direct and plan the good things for 
Thanksgiving, which was the next day. Florence 
made a pretty picture in her blue serge dress and 
white apron, as she busied herself here and there. 
Arthur was seated in the kitchen window, swing- 
ing his feet, like a schoolboy, and watching Flor- 
ence's every movement, and in his mind compar- 
ing her with her sister. 

“How utterly different — ^not one thing in com- 
mon!" he said to himself. “What a true and 
noble wife this true-hearted little girl would make. 
By Caesar, I'll try my chances 1" 

Just as Arthur was building air-castles, Hagar 
steamed in, mopping the perspiration from her 
dusky face with her check apron. 

“Miss Florence, I done kill de hen, but I can't 
ketch de gobbler ; 'e run wusser dan de win'. Yoti 
might's well try fer ketch de win'," she said. 

“Good morning, aunty, how are you ?" said Ar- 
thur. 

“Upper, tank you, sar," with a curtsey. “Wa 
you doin' in yer, boss ?" 


59 


Sister In Name Only. 

want to know what you were so dressed up 
for last night, when you passed us ?” said Arthur. 

''I wus gwine to de settin’ up/’ 

‘'What’s that, Hagar? I’m green about such 
things.” 

“Set up wid de dead body,” she explained. 

“Who’s dead, Hagar?” 

“One of Peter Brown gran’son chillen, by ’e 
fust wife,” said Hagar. 

“I can’t trace the relationship. What kin was 
the child to Peter Brown?” 

“Well, you see,” she said, “Peter Brown fust 
wife hab thutteen head o’ chillen, and ebery one 
hab a different daddy ” 

“Come here, quickly, Hagar !” called Florence, 
and she sent her on some imaginary errand. 
When she returned “the villain still pursued her,” 
but he did not further inquire into Peter Brown’s 
private affairs. 

“How old are you, Hagar?” asked Arthur. 

“Dunno, sar ; massa hab all we age write down 
in de Bible in rebel time, but dem Yankee buckra 
’stroy all de Bible an ebery ting wa da in de 
house. Dey neber eben lef’ bittle for we to eat.” 

“I fear you don’t like the Yankees, Hagar !” 
said Arthur. 

“No, sar; I neber keep de fote of July like dem 


6o 


Sister In Name Only. 

new time nigger. Dem keep ’em ’cause ’e set 
free dat day. Dese new time nigger ain’t got a 
manners like de ole rebel time nigger, and dem 
will tief. I neber raise my cliillen bedout a good 
manners to ebery body, and don’ ’low ’um for 
tief.” 

Many were the peals of laughter heard from 
the kitchen that morning, and Mrs. Arnold smiled 
as she heard it. 

Often would Florence be called upon to inter- 
pret some of Hagar’s remarkable sayings. 

Two evenings previous to this Sandy was con- 
cealed behind an arbor in the flower garden. He 
lay stretched out full length, as if expecting some 
one. It was a perfect evening. A full moon was 
just rising behind the church spire, as Ruby and 
Paul Gibson strolled on the gravel walk, and 
shortly after took their seats under the arbor on a 
rustic bench. 

''To-morrow will be the only day this week we 
could get off,” Paul was saying. "The next is 
Thanksgiving, you know, and after that the com- 
pany. What do you say to an early start? We 
can have at least one day to ourselves; as it is, 
we are never alone. Say yes to this. Ruby, dear, 
will you?” 

"I need no persuasion, Paul; I’m as tired of 


Sister In Name Only. 6i 

entertaining these people as you are, and also long 
to be alone with you,’’ she said. ^'Mamma gets 
shocked and horrified if I’m not absolutely tied 
to my hus ” 

“Don’t say it !” quickly interrupted Paul, “for, 
to hear you call another man husband seems to 
stab me to my heart’s core ! Oh, Ruby ; the great 
love I feel for you, and am struggling to conceal, 
is almost killing me. Let’s break every galling 
barrier that separates us, darling, and let our 
hearts and lives be linked together by the golden 
chain of love. Why should our hearts, drawn 
together by the magnet of love, be kept apart by 
the cruel chance of fate and the artificial laws of 
society ? After all, what is life without love ? It 
is the root of all good, the crowning of all glory 
in life ! Your position. Ruby, is most pitiful. My 
heart bleeds for you, often, to see you in your 
bright, beautiful womanhood, the slave of a love- 
less marriage. Ruby, can you trust me in all 
things; can you lay your hand in mine and say, 
‘Yes, Paul, I love you ! henceforth our paths must 
be together, for weal, or woe. Could you say 
this, my dearest darling?’ ” 

“Yes, Paul, with all my heart I can truthfully 
repeat your words !” she replied. 

Just at that moment there was an audible rustle 


62 


Sister In Name Only. 

in the lilac bushes near, the sound of a quick foot- 
step receding, and all was silent. 

With the speed of the wind Sandy made his 
way back to the Club House. On his road he met 
Colonel Carleton, and for some time they were in 
earnest conversation, after which, instead of go- 
ing to the home of Mrs. Arnold, toward which 
he had started. Colonel Carleton turned back and 
spent the night at the club. 

He knew all, for Sandy had related it almost 
word for word. He was almost prepared for 
this, and so he simply felt a sense of dull, be- 
numbing pain, as one might feel when imperfect- 
ly etherized under the surgeon’s knife. 

^^Desperate cases require desperate remedies,” 
he said to himself, ''and this affair under my very 
eyes must be decided quickly. I live no longer 
under this cruel weight of neglect and dishonor. 
I shall confront the guilty pair ere another night 
arrives.” 

A few hours later Colonel Carleton privately 
took the late train for ten miles distant. Early the 
next morning he was at the depot, where he 
watched from a carriage window the expected 
train, hoping even against the cruel truth that the 
wild ravings of demented Sandy might contain no 
truth, and it might be after all a mistake, and per- 


Sister In Name Only. 63 

haps only the jealous fancy of an old man whose 
own charm had faded and feared to trust his 
young wife with those more congenial, youthful 
and attractive. 

While the anxious husband was thus trying to 
console himself, the pair who had already caused 
so many heart-pangs, entered a carriage near him 
and drove rapidly away. Colonel Carleton fol- 
lowed leisurely. Bitter resolution was written 
on his pallid face. An hour later, in a very hand- 
some private parlor, he confronted the guilty 
pair. 

For Paul Gibson this careworn and heartbroken 
man had no glance or word. He stood before 
his wife, on whom he bent eyes of fond pity and 
reproach, and in firm words requested her to make 
her choice now and forever between her husband 
and her lover. 

Before Ruby could reply, Paul Gibson arose. 

''Sir !’’ he said, "your wife deserves no censure^ 
I alone am to blame, and in the name of justice 
I beg that you give me a hearing. I never real- 
ized the wrong I had unconsciously done her and 
yourself till I found I had learned to love her. I 
do not blush to acknowledge it. And 'all’s fair 
in love and war’ nowadays. But, sir, I did not 
intend wrong to you. I deeply regret the misery 


64 Sister In Name Only. 

I have added to your life, and to atone for my 
sin I will make the greatest sacrifice possible to 
me. I will return Ruby into your care, humbly 
ask your forgiveness, and go far away, never to 
look upon your faces again 

^^Hush, Paul, you cannot leave meT' cried 
Ruby, pale and trembling, as she held out her 
hands to him. ^^You — ^break your promise — so — 
soon!'’ she said, in gasps, and with tears; and 
turning to her husband like a tragedy queen, she 
said: make my choice now and forever. I 

do not, cannot love you. Colonel Carleton. I 
never did love you, and for that wrong — the 
wrong of marrying you without love — I also ask 
your forgiveness. God knows I have fully re- 
pented it! I never knew what love was till I 
met Paul Gibson, and now I cannot give up his 
love for a life of abject loneliness and misery with 
you. A heart-hungry life was never intended for 
womankind. We must live in an atmosphere of 
love, or else our lives are quickly blighted. You 
have said you loved me. Colonel Carleton ; then 
prove it by giving me my freedom in the courts, 
and let me wed the man I love. I know it is asking 
a great deal, but it is best for us all. Believe me, 
I could never again even pretend to be anything 
to you, and whatever happens we can never live 


Sister In Name Only. 65 

together again. Oh, release me, is all I plead, 
from this intolerable bondage!’’ 

'"Stay, madame 1” said Colonel Carleton, in 
severe tones. ^^Your wish is granted. Henceforth 
and forever your life is your own.” 

''Colonel Carleton, hear me !” pleaded Paul Gib- 
son. 

"Never 1” replied the Colonel. "I command you 
both to silence,” and turning once again to Ruby, 
he said : 

"And now, false woman, you’ve sealed your 
own doom ! Your freedom is yours, but you shall 
lose your lover. My days of sorrow on earth are 
few. Yours are many, and as you have dealt 
with me, may God deal with you 1” 

Saying which, with bent form and drawn face, 
white with misery. Colonel Carleton almost tot- 
tered from the room. 

In the late afternoon of the day before Thanks- 
giving Florence appeared on the piazza of her 
home, where Arthur Clark awaited her coming 
most impatiently. For days he had been her 
shadow. His eyes were ever upon her. 

"You are looking most bewitching this even- 
ing, Miss Arnold,” he said. "Your hair is in 


66 


Sister In Name Only. 

little rings around your temples and forehead, and 
seems to have caught the very sunset's glow, just 
such as artists rave over." 

Florence laughed and said it reminded her of 
a compliment Mrs. Greggs paid her tresses sev- 
eral times by asking her if she ‘'wore a wig." 
She said it “did not look natural." 

“Oh, shoot Mrs. Greggs!" said Arthur. “If 
she comes back here, Fm going to make it sultry 
for her." 

“Why, Mr. Clark, for shame!" cried Florence, 
— “the old lady is your greatest admirer !" 

“Well, I think I’ll leave to-night if such is the 
case. Shall we go for a stroll?" suggested Ar- 
thur. 

An hour later, when they returned, they found 
Mrs. Arnold walking up and down the veranda, 
evidently disturbed. 

“What's the matter, mamma, darling?" asked 
Florence. 

“Nothing," said Mrs. Arnold, “only Ruby stays 
so late, and she has been away all day. Where 
can they have gone ?" 

“They will be back in time," said Arthur. 
“Possibly they were detained. 

“Where is Colonel Carleton?" asked Arthur. 
“I've not seen him since yesterday morning !" 


67 


Sister In Name Only. 

is indisposed/’ replied Mrs. Arnold. 

^Well, if some of them don’t show up pretty 
soon, I’ll ride over to the Club House; I’ll bet 
that’s just where they all are!” said Arthur. 

^^Yes, indeed, mamma. I’m sure Mr. Clark is 
right, so don’t worry, and let’s go and have din- 
ner,” said Florence. 

As they took their places at the table, each 
one seemed to settle into a silent mood, as though 
some undefined trouble threatened. Mrs. Arnold 
could not eat. She was the picture of anxiety 
and suspense. The brightness had vanished from 
each face, but no one commented upon it. At 
length Hagar, who was removing the dishes, 
mumbled something to herself about ^'bad luck, 
bekase the dog been howlin’ and a owl holler in 
de tree, and Sandy open de rumbrella in de 
house.” This revived Arthur’s spirits, and he 
engaged her in a lively conversation about omens 
as long as she would remain. 

At ten o’clock Arthur rode over to the Club 
House, but there were no traces of the three miss- 
ing ones. He was informed that Colonel Carleton 
had left the night before and was supposed to be 
at his wife’s home. Arthur hastened back, and 
endeavored to cause as little concern as possible 
to Mrs. Arnold, but she passed a night of wakeful 


68 Sister In Name Only. 

distress, walking the floor and wrenched by con- 
flicting hopes and fears. 

In vain Florence and Arthur tried to comfort 
her. ^'Something terrible has happened,” said 
Mrs. Arnold, and while Arthur and Florence felt 
the same way, they would not give utterance to 
their fears. 

When Colonel Carleton left his wife’s presence, 
he took the first train for Chicago. In a very short 
time he secured the divorce, and after the first few 
spiritless days of painful memories were over, he 
sought his old friend, Paul Gibson’s father, and 
laid before him the whole condition of affairs. 
It was here he found the genuine sympathy he 
so needed and that the first tears were shed by 
this unhappy man, which relieved the pent-up 
sorrow that had almost crushed him. Long and 
earnestly the friends discussed the unfortunate 
affair before they separated. 

Mr. Gibson telegraphed for his son to come with- 
out a moment’s delay. Colonel Carleton returned 
to the seclusion of his home, a dispirited and 
broken man. There were no more objects in life 
that he cared about, for all the interest had gone 


69 


Sister In Name Only. 

out of life and his mind and heart were embit- 
tered beyond hope of repair. And he felt that 
he could never again face his friends of former 
days. Seclusion was all he craved — ‘'to be let 
alone.” A long illness supervened through 
which his faithful valet served him with self- 
sacrificing devotion, and which the physician 
thought would have a fatal termination. After 
several weeks he partly rallied, but he never again 
left his house, and a year later was laid away to 
rest beside the faithful wife of his early youth. 
The vast wealth of Colonel Carleton was left to 
distant relatives and to charitable purposes, with 
a liberal legacy to Florence Arnold; and so 
closed the tragedy of the gracious life of Colonel 
Carleton, who had loved indeed not wisely but 
too well, and had paid the price for it of blasted 
hopes and a premature grave. 

When the true state of affairs was made known 
to Mrs. Arnold, her grief knew no bounds. This 
refined and gentle woman broke down completely 
from the shock as well as the sense of the dis- 
honor that her own daughter had brought upon 
her. How sweetly in those dark days Florence 


70 Sister In Name Only. 

strove to watch and guard her mother from every 
care, and never for a moment was Mrs. Arnold 
left alone with her poignant grief. 

Home, they knew, must be darkened for them 
forevermore, and yet Florence, with her beauti- 
ful nature, would endeavor to be cheerful. ''Mam- 
ma, you have me, and I shall never leave you. If 
you love your little girl, prove it by trying to 
forget our sorrow and let’s make the best of life/’ 
counseled Florence, in brave, strong words. 

Arthur Clark, who proved a most faithful 
friend and brother in their distress, went away 
when he could do no more for them, but not be- 
fore he had asked Florence to be his partner for 
life. He told her his love was hers alone forever- 
more, no matter what repulse it met. He pleaded 
in his boyish, caressing manner, "to be made 
happy by a promise for the future ere he said fare- 
well.” 

"Never!” was the reply Florence gave. "My 
life’s duty is now the entire charge of my dear 
mother, and should she be taken from me, there 
are two others who will ever need me. But, 
Arthur, take this assurance with you, dear, I love 
you! and my lips shall never repeat those words 
to any other man in this world.” And thus she 
cheerfully denied herself the sweetest pleasure 


71 


Sister In Name Only. 

life held out for her, so that she might continue 
to do her duty by her grief-stricken mother ; and 
unselfishness could go no farther. Brave Flor- 
ence ! 

After these varied and evil-fraught happenings 
of which he was himself the real cause, Paul Gib- 
son sincerely intended to stand by Ruby in a 
manly manner. 

But his love was to have its first test, and that 
test came with a suddenness which he little 
dreamed of. 

From his father came a formal notification that 
he forever disinherited him, as a punishment for 
the dishonor he had brought on the family name 
and for his own criminal folly and immorality. 
He was told never to seek his father again or to 
enter again the place he once was happy to call 
home. 

He had not expected this, and his plans and 
his ambitions were in one moment dashed to the 
ground. And his duty to Ruby ! — what of that ? 
Could he now, penniless and dispirited, go back 
to her to try to make her happy, particularly when 
he knew how she loved the luxuries and indul- 
gences of life ! He knew there could be but one 
outcome in such a case, and therefore this disaster 
made completely impracticable his love and his 


72 Sister In Name Only. 

hopes, his plans and his fairy dreams. To Ruby 
he could not return. He must leave her, and 
without a message of any kind, for there was 
nothing for him to say. And although Paul be- 
lieved that he loved Ruby as he did his life, yet 
this step was one that appealed to him as his irre- 
sistible fate. 

And so he passes out of our view, and leaves 
the world — and Ruby — wondering where he had 
gone. 

That night among his old friends again around 
a huge punch bowl, Paul Gibson in a great meas- 
ure forgot his worries. The sharp edge of sor- 
row was at least dulled, and he now decided that 
it would be just as well to let things drift and 
trust to matters to readjust his fortunes in a satis- 
factory way. 

It was with sadly wounded pride and in deep 
mortification that Ruby at length was forced to 
return to her mother’s home. Her feelings may 
be perhaps imagined by the reader. Mrs. Arnold 
could not turn her erring daughter away, and yet 
she felt it would be a struggle for her to forgive 
her for the great wrong and folly she had com- 
mitted. 

In vain Florence with tender words pleaded 
for her unfortunate sister. Mrs. Arnold was ob~ 


Sister In Name Only. 73 

durate. Ruby said nothing. She had put all 
in one cast and had lost. Love, she knew, was 
not now for her. She could have been happy 
with Colonel Carleton, she now realized. Hers 
was a nature that craved little else but luxury 
and ease. With this sudden upheaval of her life 
she grew weak and morbid. She saw no one and 
seldom left her room. For hours she would sit 
as if dazed. She was deaf even to the loving 
sympathy oifered by her sister, who comforted 
her with more than a mother’s intuition and ten- 
derness. 

After a few weeks of this mental strain, Mrs. 
Arnold’s health gave way completely. This was 
to Florence a great additional trial, to see the sad 
change in her mother, who had always been her 
sympathetic companion. Florence used every 
effort to comfort and interest her mother, but all 
in vain. It was truly a stricken household. Ruby 
seldom ever entered her mother’s presence. The 
estrangement between mother and daughter 
strengthened as time passed. Sometimes Flor- 
ence felt as if she would give up under the weary- 
ing mental strain. Everything had to be planned 
and carried out by her alone; she was now the 
Little Mother of the household. Sandy’s help- 
less and pitiful condition was not the least of her 


74 Sister In Name Only. 

cares. One sole comfort to Florence was the de- 
voted Hagar, ever ready and eager to bear the 
burden of physical labor. 

And thus one whole year passed before Flor- 
ence realized what she had taken upon herself. 
One duty which she wholly resigned was all so- 
cial intercourse with the village folk. This was 
in compliance with the request of her sister, who 
dreaded to face the curious eyes of the village 
gossips. The village clergyman, alone, visited 
frequently the home of Mrs. Arnold, and was ever 
kind and considerate of Florence, who appreci- 
ated highly the worthy man’s willingness to help 
her in life’s up-hill struggle. She always felt 
cheered after listening to his encouraging words 
and kindly advice. 

Mr. Turner was a young clergyman, full of 
zeal and energy, and he prized particularly the 
worth of a character such as Florence possessed. 
And Florence never neglected her church or choir 
work in spite of all her duties, and she was ever 
ready to respond to the call of the needy and the 
suffering. 

It was not strange that after being associated 
with this noble-hearted girl for a year Mr. Tur- 
ner began to feel the promptings of a tender pas- 


Sister In Name Only. 75 

sion towards her — a passion compounded of es- 
teem and love. 

It was the disappointment of his life when, 
after asking her the greatest of all favors in life, 
she refused kindly but firmly to be his wife. 

‘^Give me hope for the future!” he pleaded, 
"'however remote it may be, and my happiness 
will be insured.” She would not listen to his 
words of love, and sent him away. Memories of 
fifteen months ago, when she had listened to the 
same tender, but more precious words of love, 
from Arthur, made her heart beat faster, and 
flooded her whole life with momentary happiness. 
But stern duty shut out all romance from her life. 

"Oh, Arthur!” she cried, aloud, "life is empty 
and lonely without you. The dear old rooms 
where your bright presence made sunshine seem 
now filled with gloom and silence. Even the 
songs of the birds seem a plaintive dirge of sad- 
ness.” 

The days drag wearily on, robbed of their joy, 
and night only made heavier the dark shadows. 
But Florence said to herself : "I must not be a 
coward. Eve chosen my lot in life and must con- 
quer all selfish desires. This is the first time Fve 
looked back to those happy days, which seem so 
far away. Only in my dreams must I ever recall 


76 Sister In Name Only, 

them; my waking hours must be otherwise em- 
ployed.” 

Five years have dragged wearily on since the 
shadows gathered over the home of Mrs. Arnold 
— years without much change in the quiet and 
saddened lives of this family. Mrs. Arnold still 
lingered, weaker and more helpless than formerly. 
Only the untiring care of Florence have pro- 
longed the life of the invalid. 

And Ruby, what of her ? The reader will mar- 
vel when he hears. After one year's grief over 
the loss of wealth and position, Ruby again 
launched out into the gay world in search of 
pleasure, using as her own, with no protest from 
Florence, the legacy left her sister by Colonel 
Carleton. 

She spent half the year traveling with a beau- 
tiful young widow lady, of charmingly Bohemian 
temperament, who had been one of her intimate 
friends during her married life with Colonel 
Carleton in Chicago. 

Together they flitted from city to city, ming- 
ling in all the gay scenes of fashionable dissipa- 
tion, while suitors, attracted by their striking 


77 


Sister In Name Only. 

beauty, surrounded them as moths surround the 
flame. Theatres, parties, and late, very late, sup- 
pers made up their existence. In New York, 
that unequalled center of all that ministers to 
sense, most of their time was spent. 

The life soon told on Ruby's once fresh beauty, 
and the unvaried round of excitement to pall on 
her taste. 

Moreover, the expenses of the frivolous life 
she was leading were no small item. 

After three years of this butterfly life, and with 
disappointed ambitions. Ruby was forced to real- 
ize the truth. She must again return South, not 
only in compliance with her sister's request, but 
because there would soon be nothing left of their 
means against a rainy day. Their bank account 
was being rapidly exhausted, and her own reck- 
less expenditure of the past three years was more 
than treble what it would be in her Southern 
home. 

So Ruby yielded, knowing there was wisdom in 
her sister's advice, and went back to the old home, 
but her return only added greater cares for Flor- 
ence. Time and self-inflicted trial had not im- 
proved Ruby's disposition, and her temper now 
proved to be almost unbearably irritable. 

It was about this time that Mrs. Arnold grew 


a.ofc. 


78 Sister In Name Only. 

critically ill. The physician said it was ''only a 
matter of a few days/' and while the verdict gave 
little concern to Ruby, it left Florence stunned 
and stricken. She loved her mother dearly, and 
in all the long weeks of nursing her love had only 
strengthened. And now she nursed her mother 
by day and by night, and would not leave her side, 
although assisted by a nurse who was constantly 
on duty. 

Just a few hours before the end, Mrs. Arnold 
seemed to be relieved from all suffering, and her 
mind became clear and calm. She spoke to Flor- 
ence, and asked for Ruby, the first time in five 
years. And for an hour mother and daughter 
— the sinned against and sinning — were left 
alone. Then Florence took her place once more 
beside her dying mother. 

Ruby was truly touched, and when the minister 
offered up a solemn prayer "for the spirit about 
to take its flight and for those bereaved," Ruby 
shed the first tears of true penitence. 

A few moments later Mrs. Arnold passed away, 
holding the hand of Florence, in whose care she 
left them all. Poor Sandy was frenzied with 
grief, and fled from the house in terror, and for 
days roamed about in the woods calling for 
"sister." When he came back indoors once more. 


Sister In Name Only. 79 

he would follow Florence about the house, as 
though he feared to lose sight of her. 

Ruby insisted on sending him to some home 
for the destitute, but to this Florence firmly de- 
murred. 

''It would be cruel and heartless, and it’s neg- 
lect he dreads,” she said. "No, Ruby, as the past 
has been, so let the future be. My efforts shall 
be greater to hold out to the end.” 

Although Ruby had been softened by her moth- 
er’s last appeal, she soon again became restless 
and irritable. She was tortured by the demons 
of Discontent and Remorse, that gave her no- 
peace. Florence used every effort to ameliorate 
her loneliness and arouse her interest in domestic 
matters, with no encouraging result. 

'‘Ruby, the sin of idleness brings its own pen- 
alty,” she said ; "God has given us our daily tasks 
in life, and without doing these we cannot hope 
for contentment. Even the smallest duty dis- 
charged for His sake is acceptable, and brings its 
reward. An empty life is a wretched life, and 
your life is perfectly empty. You have not even 
a real worry in it. There are only the two of us 
now — let’s make the best of our lot and try to 
make each other happy as well as those around 


8o 


Sister In Name Only. 

"'Florence, you may as well preach to the wind ; 
you are wasting good breath,’' said Ruby, peev- 
ishly. "I don’t see what amount of happiness you 
are enjoying from your lifelong sacrifice of your 
comfort and privileges -to others. I’ve really 
lived, even if it was of short duration ! Some- 
times one can get a life’s experience out of one 
short year, if one knows how to live. Silly goose, 
that you are ! you’ve turned your back on several 
opportunities which you have had of getting away 
from your life of dull slavery here, and seeing 
the many beautiful and fascinating things of the 
great world, with its multifold gratifications and 
delights. Which do you think most important: 
the care of Sandy or your own happiness?” 

This was the encouragement which Florence 
got in trying to reform her perverse sister, yet 
she never despaired, and hoped against hope for 
better results. 

Sandy’s actions soon became a new cause for 
alarm. Florence feared from some things she 
had observed that he entertained designs on the 
life of her sister. He seemed imbued with the 
conviction that Ruby would take Florence from 
him. Florence determined to confide her trouble 
to Mr. Turner,, and be guided by his advice. This 
wise and good man had been her guide, philoso- 
pher and friend in many a troubled hour. In the 


Sister In Name Only. 8i 

evening they would often sit on a garden seat 
under the spreading oaks and discuss matters 
which Florence felt she could take to no one else. 
The clergyman had never referred to the subject 
of love or marriage since the evening he received 
the death blow to his hopes, but far down in the 
inner recesses of his heart there nestled a confi- 
dent hope, which served to make all the world 
seem bright and beautiful. 

''For the present I have happiness enough,” he 
thought. "To serve her, to be near her daily ; to 
advise her, and help her bear her burdens — this is 
quite enough to live on for the present.” 

One evening while Florence sat under the oaks 
in the old accustomed seat, awaiting his coming, 
she sighed deeply as she leaned back and closed 
her eyes. She had grown very thin and pale 
lately, prematurely aged by so long a mental 
strain; and as she sat in the gathering twilight 
with her slim figure outlined against the shad- 
ows, her white dress seemed not much whiter than 
her face. 

Florence had learned to look forward to this 
sunset hour with a feeling of restfulness. And 
this evening as she heard the familiar footstep, 
she arose with a smile to greet him. 

But it was not Mr. Turner who rushed forward 


82 Sister In Name Only. 

and covered her hand with impulsive kisses. She 
gave a little gasp when she saw that it was Arthur 
Clark who was by her side, and speaking the old 
words of devotion and attachment. 

^‘My love, my own was all he could say, as he 
folded her in his arms again and again. 

With the unexpected return of her lover came 
a host of explanations, and with it also came back 
the sunshine into the life of Florence Arnold — 
what had before seemed crushing responsibilities 
were now transformed into pleasant duties. The 
power of love wrought its old and wonderful 
cure for all ills. Florence resisted the pleading 
of love no longer. 

After two years of wedded bliss, these lovers 
are once again in their Southern home. Greater 
happiness than theirs is not found in life. While 
they had all that comfort and ease could ask 
through their modest little fortune, yet it is not 
such things which bring such perfect bliss. It 
was the love they felt for each other. Perfect 
love cast out all their fears, and in each other 
they found all their real happiness. They held a 
high position in society, but they loved their home 
pleasures best. Their lives were filled with en- 


83 


Sister In Name Only. 

gaging duties, and they are now conspicuous for 
their charitable works and for the good they have 
done to others. 

Many changes came into the old home. Ruby 
still led her aimless life, supported by her sister’s 
bounty. She cared for little beside dress and 
pleasure. In the busy hum of city life she often 
sought excitement, but as the years rolled by, she 
became a wiser, if not a better woman. 

Mrs. Greggs still lives, still shows the same 
lively interest in her neighbors, but Father Time 
has weighted her down and shackled her feet if 
not her busy tongue. She sits for hours each day 
at her window, listening eagerly for any precious 
morsel of news to refresh her drooping spirits. 

"'And to-morrow we leave, for many years!” 
said Florence Clark to her husband, as they 
twined garlands for her mother’s grave in the 
deep shadows of the cedars and weeping willows 
of the silent little city of the dead. 

'^Yes, dear,” replied her husband, ^Tor brighter 
scenes, where I trust you’ll be able to forget, amid 
new surroundings and sheltered by my love, the 
long years of trial and the depressing memories 
that crowd the old home.” 


84 Sister In Name Only. 

''But all memories are not sad, Arthur; nor 
could time, or distance, ever estrange my memory 
from this dear spot. The village where I passed 
my happy childhood I shall always truly love.^’ 

And when her mother’s grave was made fresh 
and green, Florence did not forget to twine a 
cross with evergreens and passion flowers, which 
she placed upon the verdant mould which marked 
the resting place of the hapless Sandy, who had 
passed beyond the storms and strife. 

Three weeks later Arthur Clark and his young 
wife are touring in far away Italy, amid the scenes 
of natural loveliness which abound in that climate- 
blessed land. How delighted these lovers are 
with everything they see, largely because they 
can share their pleasures. The grand old moun- 
tains with their mantle of soft green grass and 
white veils of snowy, misty cascades, tumbling 
in graceful disorder over the gray rocks below; 
the tower-crowned summits of ruined castles with 
their dark masonry outlined against the bright 
blue sky — all these scenes were enjoyed to the 
full by Arthur and his bride in their childish ex- 
uberance of spirits. How charmed and happy 
Florence is with it all, during those bright days 


85 


Sister In Name Only. 

under soft blue skies, sometimes floating on the 
bosom of the Adriatic in gondolas that drift so 
softly about in the gloomy old city of Venice, with 
its blackened and timeworn buildings which seem 
to rise out of the dark waters in solemn majesty; 
so solemn, so dismal, each seeming to have a his- 
tory of its own, full of romance and poetry, and 
speaking of joys and sorrows among them; the 
^^Bridge of Sighs,’’ where so many have passed 
over to doom and death ; the grim old palaces of 
decaying splendor, with legends and traditions 
from scenes in the ages past. 

And in the land of cloudless sky, of poetry and 
romance and song, we shall take leave of Arthur 
and Florence, hoping their lives may continue- as 
bright as the unflecked canopy that stretches 
above their heads over the sunny Italy land. 


THE END. 


AUG 2 9 1902 



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